Summer is Here! And in summer we celebrate FOURTH of JULY. Get the Hot Dogs and Potatoe Salad with BBQ and Corn on The Cob ready. Grab the kids and Grandchild and share the story of our History as a Country. Important to be honest but always edifying the Country we live in. Share the Constitution and the BILL of Rights with your older kids. Nice to know that we actually have these time tested Rights we can use and enjoy. And Happy 90th Birthday to PAPA our wonderful Grandfather our Yanky Doodle Dandy! We Love You PAPA!

Supreme Court Justice Kennedy known as the Libertarian Justice retires at the end of the month of July 2018. An influential Justice that changed the landscape of our land. Lots of information in this months issue such as Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Basics, Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, ISLAM Basics 101, Meaning of EXPORT and IMPORT, Presidents Born in July, The Meaning of Asylum, North Korean Life, Mortgage Closing Costs, The Sports World of FIFA, Opioid Problem in the United States, Entertainer SHOWbiz Shelly is featured, Arthur's Tax Tips, eSports Facts and some extras you may enjoy. Arthur Liceaga, editor

This Summer Stay Cool, Eat Well have Fun at your Local Texas Roadhouse Restaurant.

Chapter 7 - Bankruptcy Basics

This chapter of the Bankruptcy Code provides for "liquidation" - the sale of a debtor's nonexempt property and the distribution of the proceeds to creditors.

Alternatives to Chapter 7

Debtors should be aware that there are several alternatives to chapter 7 relief. For example, debtors who are engaged in business, including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships, may prefer to remain in business and avoid liquidation. Such debtors should consider filing a petition under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Under chapter 11, the debtor may seek an adjustment of debts, either by reducing the debt or by extending the time for repayment, or may seek a more comprehensive reorganization. Sole proprietorships may also be eligible for relief under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.

In addition, individual debtors who have regular income may seek an adjustment of debts under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. A particular advantage of chapter 13 is that it provides individual debtors with an opportunity to save their homes from foreclosure by allowing them to "catch up" past due payments through a payment plan. Moreover, the court may dismiss a chapter 7 case filed by an individual whose debts are primarily consumer rather than business debts if the court finds that the granting of relief would be an abuse of chapter 7. 11 U.S.C. § 707(b).

If the debtor's "current monthly income" (1) is more than the state median, the Bankruptcy Code requires application of a "means test" to determine whether the chapter 7 filing is presumptively abusive. Abuse is presumed if the debtor's aggregate current monthly income over 5 years, net of certain statutorily allowed expenses, is more than (i) $12,850, or (ii) 25% of the debtor's nonpriority unsecured debt, as long as that amount is at least $7,700. (2) The debtor may rebut a presumption of abuse only by a showing of special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income. Unless the debtor overcomes the presumption of abuse, the case will generally be converted to chapter 13 (with the debtor's consent) or will be dismissed. 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(1).

Debtors should also be aware that out-of-court agreements with creditors or debt counseling services may provide an alternative to a bankruptcy filing.

Background

A chapter 7 bankruptcy case does not involve the filing of a plan of repayment as in chapter 13. Instead, the bankruptcy trustee gathers and sells the debtor's nonexempt assets and uses the proceeds of such assets to pay holders of claims (creditors) in accordance with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Part of the debtor's property may be subject to liens and mortgages that pledge the property to other creditors. In addition, the Bankruptcy Code will allow the debtor to keep certain "exempt" property; but a trustee will liquidate the debtor's remaining assets. Accordingly, potential debtors should realize that the filing of a petition under chapter 7 may result in the loss of property.

Chapter 7 Eligibility

To qualify for relief under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, the debtor may be an individual, a partnership, or a corporation or other business entity. 11 U.S.C. §§ 101(41), 109(b). Subject to the means test described above for individual debtors, relief is available under chapter 7 irrespective of the amount of the debtor's debts or whether the debtor is solvent or insolvent. An individual cannot file under chapter 7 or any other chapter, however, if during the preceding 180 days a prior bankruptcy petition was dismissed due to the debtor's willful failure to appear before the court or comply with orders of the court, or the debtor voluntarily dismissed the previous case after creditors sought relief from the bankruptcy court to recover property upon which they hold liens. 11 U.S.C. §§ 109(g), 362(d) and (e). In addition, no individual may be a debtor under chapter 7 or any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code unless he or she has, within 180 days before filing, received credit counseling from an approved credit counseling agency either in an individual or group briefing. 11 U.S.C. §§ 109, 111. There are exceptions in emergency situations or where the U.S. trustee (or bankruptcy administrator) has determined that there are insufficient approved agencies to provide the required counseling. If a debt management plan is developed during required credit counseling, it must be filed with the court.

One of the primary purposes of bankruptcy is to discharge certain debts to give an honest individual debtor a "fresh start." The debtor has no liability for discharged debts. In a chapter 7 case, however, a discharge is only available to individual debtors, not to partnerships or corporations. 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(1). Although an individual chapter 7 case usually results in a discharge of debts, the right to a discharge is not absolute, and some types of debts are not discharged. Moreover, a bankruptcy discharge does not extinguish a lien on property.

How Chapter 7 Works

A chapter 7 case begins with the debtor filing a petition with the bankruptcy court serving the area where the individual lives or where the business debtor is organized or has its principal place of business or principal assets. (3) In addition to the petition, the debtor must also file with the court: (1) schedules of assets and liabilities; (2) a schedule of current income and expenditures; (3) a statement of financial affairs; and (4) a schedule of executory contracts and unexpired leases. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1007(b). Debtors must also provide the assigned case trustee with a copy of the tax return or transcripts for the most recent tax year as well as tax returns filed during the case (including tax returns for prior years that had not been filed when the case began). 11 U.S.C. § 521. Individual debtors with primarily consumer debts have additional document filing requirements. They must file: a certificate of credit counseling and a copy of any debt repayment plan developed through credit counseling; evidence of payment from employers, if any, received 60 days before filing; a statement of monthly net income and any anticipated increase in income or expenses after filing; and a record of any interest the debtor has in federal or state qualified education or tuition accounts. Id. A husband and wife may file a joint petition or individual petitions. 11 U.S.C. § 302(a). Even if filing jointly, a husband and wife are subject to all the document filing requirements of individual debtors. (The Official Forms may be purchased at legal stationery stores or download. They are not available from the court.)

The courts must charge a $245 case filing fee, a $75 miscellaneous administrative fee, and a $15 trustee surcharge. Normally, the fees must be paid to the clerk of the court upon filing. With the court's permission, however, individual debtors may pay in installments. 28 U.S.C. § 1930(a); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1006(b); Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule, Item 8. The number of installments is limited to four, and the debtor must make the final installment no later than 120 days after filing the petition. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1006. For cause shown, the court may extend the time of any installment, provided that the last installment is paid not later than 180 days after filing the petition. Id. The debtor may also pay the $75 administrative fee and the $15 trustee surcharge in installments. If a joint petition is filed, only one filing fee, one administrative fee, and one trustee surcharge are charged. Debtors should be aware that failure to pay these fees may result in dismissal of the case. 11 U.S.C. § 707(a).

If the debtor's income is less than 150% of the poverty level (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code), and the debtor is unable to pay the chapter 7 fees even in installments, the court may waive the requirement that the fees be paid. 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f).

In order to complete the Official Bankruptcy Forms that make up the petition, statement of financial affairs, and schedules, the debtor must provide the following information:

Married individuals must gather this information for their spouse regardless of whether they are filing a joint petition, separate individual petitions, or even if only one spouse is filing. In a situation where only one spouse files, the income and expenses of the non-filing spouse are required so that the court, the trustee and creditors can evaluate the household's financial position.

Among the schedules that an individual debtor will file is a schedule of "exempt" property. The Bankruptcy Code allows an individual debtor (4) to protect some property from the claims of creditors because it is exempt under federal bankruptcy law or under the laws of the debtor's home state. 11 U.S.C. § 522(b). Many states have taken advantage of a provision in the Bankruptcy Code that permits each state to adopt its own exemption law in place of the federal exemptions. In other jurisdictions, the individual debtor has the option of choosing between a federal package of exemptions or the exemptions available under state law. Thus, whether certain property is exempt and may be kept by the debtor is often a question of state law. The debtor should consult an attorney to determine the exemptions available in the state where the debtor lives.

Filing a petition under chapter 7 "automatically stays" (stops) most collection actions against the debtor or the debtor's property. 11 U.S.C. § 362. But filing the petition does not stay certain types of actions listed under 11 U.S.C. § 362(b), and the stay may be effective only for a short time in some situations. The stay arises by operation of law and requires no judicial action. As long as the stay is in effect, creditors generally may not initiate or continue lawsuits, wage garnishments, or even telephone calls demanding payments. The bankruptcy clerk gives notice of the bankruptcy case to all creditors whose names and addresses are provided by the debtor.

Between 21 and 40 days after the petition is filed, the case trustee (described below) will hold a meeting of creditors. If the U.S. trustee or bankruptcy administrator (5) schedules the meeting at a place that does not have regular U.S. trustee or bankruptcy administrator staffing, the meeting may be held no more than 60 days after the order for relief. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2003(a). During this meeting, the trustee puts the debtor under oath, and both the trustee and creditors may ask questions. The debtor must attend the meeting and answer questions regarding the debtor's financial affairs and property. 11 U.S.C. § 343. If a husband and wife have filed a joint petition, they both must attend the creditors' meeting and answer questions. Within 10 days of the creditors' meeting, the U.S. trustee will report to the court whether the case should be presumed to be an abuse under the means test described in 11 U.S.C. § 704(b).

It is important for the debtor to cooperate with the trustee and to provide any financial records or documents that the trustee requests. The Bankruptcy Code requires the trustee to ask the debtor questions at the meeting of creditors to ensure that the debtor is aware of the potential consequences of seeking a discharge in bankruptcy such as the effect on credit history, the ability to file a petition under a different chapter, the effect of receiving a discharge, and the effect of reaffirming a debt. Some trustees provide written information on these topics at or before the meeting to ensure that the debtor is aware of this information. In order to preserve their independent judgment, bankruptcy judges are prohibited from attending the meeting of creditors. 11 U.S.C. § 341(c).

In order to accord the debtor complete relief, the Bankruptcy Code allows the debtor to convert a chapter 7 case to a case under chapter 11, 12, or 13 (6) as long as the debtor is eligible to be a debtor under the new chapter. However, a condition of the debtor's voluntary conversion is that the case has not previously been converted to chapter 7 from another chapter. 11 U.S.C. § 706(a). Thus, the debtor will not be permitted to convert the case repeatedly from one chapter to another.

Role of the Case Trustee

When a chapter 7 petition is filed, the U.S. trustee (or the bankruptcy court in Alabama and North Carolina) appoints an impartial case trustee to administer the case and liquidate the debtor's nonexempt assets. 11 U.S.C. §§ 701, 704. If all the debtor's assets are exempt or subject to valid liens, the trustee will normally file a "no asset" report with the court, and there will be no distribution to unsecured creditors. Most chapter 7 cases involving individual debtors are no asset cases. But if the case appears to be an "asset" case at the outset, unsecured creditors (7) must file their claims with the court within 90 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3002(c). A governmental unit, however, has 180 days from the date the case is filed to file a claim. 11 U.S.C. § 502(b)(9). In the typical no asset chapter 7 case, there is no need for creditors to file proofs of claim because there will be no distribution. If the trustee later recovers assets for distribution to unsecured creditors, the Bankruptcy Court will provide notice to creditors and will allow additional time to file proofs of claim. Although a secured creditor does not need to file a proof of claim in a chapter 7 case to preserve its security interest or lien, there may be other reasons to file a claim. A creditor in a chapter 7 case who has a lien on the debtor's property should consult an attorney for advice.

Commencement of a bankruptcy case creates an "estate." The estate technically becomes the temporary legal owner of all the debtor's property. It consists of all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case, including property owned or held by another person if the debtor has an interest in the property. Generally speaking, the debtor's creditors are paid from nonexempt property of the estate.

The primary role of a chapter 7 trustee in an asset case is to liquidate the debtor's nonexempt assets in a manner that maximizes the return to the debtor's unsecured creditors. The trustee accomplishes this by selling the debtor's property if it is free and clear of liens (as long as the property is not exempt) or if it is worth more than any security interest or lien attached to the property and any exemption that the debtor holds in the property. The trustee may also attempt to recover money or property under the trustee's "avoiding powers." The trustee's avoiding powers include the power to: set aside preferential transfers made to creditors within 90 days before the petition; undo security interests and other prepetition transfers of property that were not properly perfected under nonbankruptcy law at the time of the petition; and pursue nonbankruptcy claims such as fraudulent conveyance and bulk transfer remedies available under state law. In addition, if the debtor is a business, the bankruptcy court may authorize the trustee to operate the business for a limited period of time, if such operation will benefit creditors and enhance the liquidation of the estate. 11 U.S.C. § 721.

Section 726 of the Bankruptcy Code governs the distribution of the property of the estate. Under § 726, there are six classes of claims; and each class must be paid in full before the next lower class is paid anything. The debtor is only paid if all other classes of claims have been paid in full. Accordingly, the debtor is not particularly interested in the trustee's disposition of the estate assets, except with respect to the payment of those debts which for some reason are not dischargeable in the bankruptcy case. The individual debtor's primary concerns in a chapter 7 case are to retain exempt property and to receive a discharge that covers as many debts as possible.

The Chapter 7 Discharge

A discharge releases individual debtors from personal liability for most debts and prevents the creditors owed those debts from taking any collection actions against the debtor. Because a chapter 7 discharge is subject to many exceptions, debtors should consult competent legal counsel before filing to discuss the scope of the discharge. Generally, excluding cases that are dismissed or converted, individual debtors receive a discharge in more than 99 percent of chapter 7 cases. In most cases, unless a party in interest files a complaint objecting to the discharge or a motion to extend the time to object, the bankruptcy court will issue a discharge order relatively early in the case – generally, 60 to 90 days after the date first set for the meeting of creditors. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4004(c).

The grounds for denying an individual debtor a discharge in a chapter 7 case are narrow and are construed against the moving party. Among other reasons, the court may deny the debtor a discharge if it finds that the debtor: failed to keep or produce adequate books or financial records; failed to explain satisfactorily any loss of assets; committed a bankruptcy crime such as perjury; failed to obey a lawful order of the bankruptcy court; fraudulently transferred, concealed, or destroyed property that would have become property of the estate; or failed to complete an approved instructional course concerning financial management. 11 U.S.C. § 727; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4005.

Secured creditors may retain some rights to seize property securing an underlying debt even after a discharge is granted. Depending on individual circumstances, if a debtor wishes to keep certain secured property (such as an automobile), he or she may decide to "reaffirm" the debt. A reaffirmation is an agreement between the debtor and the creditor that the debtor will remain liable and will pay all or a portion of the money owed, even though the debt would otherwise be discharged in the bankruptcy. In return, the creditor promises that it will not repossess or take back the automobile or other property so long as the debtor continues to pay the debt.

If the debtor decides to reaffirm a debt, he or she must do so before the discharge is entered. The debtor must sign a written reaffirmation agreement and file it with the court. 11 U.S.C. § 524(c). The Bankruptcy Code requires that reaffirmation agreements contain an extensive set of disclosures described in 11 U.S.C. § 524(k). Among other things, the disclosures must advise the debtor of the amount of the debt being reaffirmed and how it is calculated and that reaffirmation means that the debtor's personal liability for that debt will not be discharged in the bankruptcy. The disclosures also require the debtor to sign and file a statement of his or her current income and expenses which shows that the balance of income paying expenses is sufficient to pay the reaffirmed debt. If the balance is not enough to pay the debt to be reaffirmed, there is a presumption of undue hardship, and the court may decide not to approve the reaffirmation agreement. Unless the debtor is represented by an attorney, the bankruptcy judge must approve the reaffirmation agreement.

If the debtor was represented by an attorney in connection with the reaffirmation agreement, the attorney must certify in writing that he or she advised the debtor of the legal effect and consequences of the agreement, including a default under the agreement. The attorney must also certify that the debtor was fully informed and voluntarily made the agreement and that reaffirmation of the debt will not create an undue hardship for the debtor or the debtor's dependants. 11 U.S.C. § 524(k). The Bankruptcy Code requires a reaffirmation hearing if the debtor has not been represented by an attorney during the negotiating of the agreement, or if the court disapproves the reaffirmation agreement. 11 U.S.C. § 524(d) and (m). The debtor may repay any debt voluntarily, however, whether or not a reaffirmation agreement exists. 11 U.S.C. § 524(f).

An individual receives a discharge for most of his or her debts in a chapter 7 bankruptcy case. A creditor may no longer initiate or continue any legal or other action against the debtor to collect a discharged debt. But not all of an individual's debts are discharged in chapter 7. Debts not discharged include debts for alimony and child support, certain taxes, debts for certain educational benefit overpayments or loans made or guaranteed by a governmental unit, debts for willful and malicious injury by the debtor to another entity or to the property of another entity, debts for death or personal injury caused by the debtor's operation of a motor vehicle while the debtor was intoxicated from alcohol or other substances, and debts for certain criminal restitution orders. 11 U.S.C. § 523(a). The debtor will continue to be liable for these types of debts to the extent that they are not paid in the chapter 7 case. Debts for money or property obtained by false pretenses, debts for fraud or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary capacity, and debts for willful and malicious injury by the debtor to another entity or to the property of another entity will be discharged unless a creditor timely files and prevails in an action to have such debts declared nondischargeable. 11 U.S.C. § 523(c); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4007(c).

The court may revoke a chapter 7 discharge on the request of the trustee, a creditor, or the U.S. trustee if the discharge was obtained through fraud by the debtor, if the debtor acquired property that is property of the estate and knowingly and fraudulently failed to report the acquisition of such property or to surrender the property to the trustee, or if the debtor (without a satisfactory explanation) makes a material misstatement or fails to provide documents or other information in connection with an audit of the debtor's case. 11 U.S.C. § 727(d). END. Arthur Liceaga, editor

INFORMATION On CHAPTER 11 WILL Be PRESENTED In NEXT MONTH "TA Magazine" August Issue.

"TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE Legal Eagle".

Notes The "current monthly income" received by the debtor is a defined term in the Bankruptcy Code and means the average monthly income received over the six calendar months before commencement of the bankruptcy case, including regular contributions to household expenses from nondebtors and including income from the debtor's spouse if the petition is a joint petition, but not including social security income or certain payments made because the debtor is the victim of certain crimes. 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A). To determine whether a presumption of abuse arises, all individual debtors with primarily consumer debts who file a chapter 7 case must complete Official Bankruptcy Form B22A, entitled "Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means Test Calculation - For Use in Chapter 7." (The Official Forms may be purchased at legal stationery stores or downloaded from the internet at www.uscourts.gov/bkforms/index.html. They are not available from the court.) An involuntary chapter 7 case may be commenced under certain circumstances by a petition filed by creditors holding claims against the debtor. 11 U.S.C. § 303. Each debtor in a joint case (both husband and wife) can claim exemptions under the federal bankruptcy laws. 11 U.S.C. § 522(m). In North Carolina and Alabama, bankruptcy administrators perform similar functions that U.S. trustees perform in the remaining 48 states. These duties include establishing a panel of private trustees to serve as trustees in chapter 7 cases and supervising the administration of cases and trustees in cases under chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. The bankruptcy administrator program is administered by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, while the U.S. trustee program is administered by the Department of Justice. For purposes of this publication, references to U.S. trustees are also applicable to bankruptcy administrators. A fee is charged for converting, on request of the debtor, a case under chapter 7 to a case under chapter 11. The fee charged is the difference between the filing fee for a chapter 7 and the filing fee for a chapter 11. 28 U.S.C. § 1930(a). Currently, the difference is $922. Id. There is no fee for converting from chapter 7 to chapter 13. Unsecured debts generally may be defined as those for which the extension of credit was based purely upon an evaluation by the creditor of the debtor's ability to pay, as opposed to secured debts, for which the extension of credit was based upon the creditor's right to seize collateral on default, in addition to the debtor's ability to pay. Next Month Chapter 11 Bankruptcy will be looked at. Arthur Liceaga. editor

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

ANTHONY KENNEDY

President Ronald Reagan nominated Kennedy to the Supreme Court in 1987,

Anthony McLeod Kennedy is the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Political Party: Republican Party

Appointed by 40th President Ronald Reagan

Education: Harvard Law School, Stanford University with a brief senior year of his university study at The London School of Economics, and C.K. McClatchy High School.

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States ANTHONY KENNEDY Announces his Retirement at the White House.

Retirement

On June 27, 2018, Kennedy announced that he will be retiring from the Supreme Court on July 31, 2018. This vacancy has the potential to change the face of the court for generations to come as it will allow President Donald Trump the opportunity to nominate a conservative justice, making the court heavily conservative.

Additional Information in our "TA MAGAZINE" August 2018 Issue.

"TA AMERICAN HISTORY"

THE BIRTH OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical. By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet "Common Sense", published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

On June 7, when the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies’ independence. Amid heated debate, Congress postponed the vote on Lee’s resolution, but appointed a five-man committee—including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York—to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain.

Did You Know? John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted affirmatively).

On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.” On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.

EARLY FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS In the pre-Revolutionary years, colonists had held annual celebrations of the king’s birthday, which traditionally included the ringing of bells, bonfires, processions and speechmaking. By contrast, during the summer of 1776 some colonists celebrated the birth of independence by holding mock funerals for King George III, as a way of symbolizing the end of the monarchy’s hold on America and the triumph of liberty. Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence, beginning immediately after its adoption. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with the ongoing war.

USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy named by President George Washington after the United States Constitution. She is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat. Construction started: November 1, 1794 Launched: October 21, 1797 Length: 203'. Place built: Boston Navy Yard, Boston, MA. Builder: Edmund Hartt Did you know: Paul Revere fashioned the copper fastenings for the USS Constitution's hull.

George Washington issued double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary of independence in 1778, and in 1781, several months before the key American victory at Yorktown, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.

Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year, in celebrations that allowed the new nation’s emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties—Federalists and Democratic-Republicans—that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.

FOURTH OF JULY BECOMES A NATIONAL HOLIDAY The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.

Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER", the national anthem of the United States.

"TA SONG News"

Here are the words to what most people will recognize regarding

THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

O! say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming:

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming,

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;

O! say, does that Star-spangled Banner still wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Francis Scott Key

From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." Thank You. Arthur Liceaga

THIS TAX SEASON, Contact Mr. ARTHUR LICEAGA to Navigate through the Federal and State Tax Code to Complete your Tax Return. CALL Mr. Arthur Liceaga at (630) 217 - 5764 to Discuss All the New Tax Laws.

"TA" Support's READING!

This Summer please visit a

Library and or physical Book Store.

Reading is Fun!

COLLECT OUR "TA Book Markers" that we been handing out for years.

"Tomorrow's Alliance" has been

promoting Reading and Writing

since 2005.

"TA" the Band that Promotes Education!

"TA Get The Kids Reading Initiatve"check out our

"TA Kid Nation" web page.

"TA Economic Overview (FIRMT)"

EXPORT: send (goods, ideas, beliefs or services) to another country for sale.

IMPORT : bring (goods, COMMODITIES, IDEAS, BELIEFS, or services) into a country from abroad for sale.

Arthur Liceaga Tax Tips

What happens beyond full retirement age

Many people wait until “full retirement age” or later to start getting Social Security benefits. Here are some points to consider – Social Security, health benefits, taxes – to help with their decision-making.

Retirement age. Could that be when you finally stop working and sail away on a yacht to some tropical place, perhaps to join that smiling brigade of seniors featured in all those planning brochures? Or, maybe it’s a specific age, such as 55 or 65? Or when you leave your job, willingly or not, hopefully with some type of pension or retirement savings?

In Social Security parlance, retirementage is when people start collecting their Social Security retirement benefits

That may start as early as age 62, with a reduced benefit.

Or, people can wait until their full retirement age to get their full, unreduced benefit. That’s also called the “basic benefit” and, formally, the “primary insurance amount” (PIA). More on that later.

Or they may wait even longer and get still higher benefits because of delayed retirement credits.

This article is about people who wait at least to full retirement age to claim benefits.

First, a little history

When the U.S. started the social insurance program in 1935, retirement age for getting Social Security benefits was 65. You might suppose that had something to do with average life expectancy at the time, or possibly some arbitrary number Congress pulled from a hat.

A long-standing myth is that, in 1889, 65-year old Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany designed and helped implement the world’s first old-age insurance system, which conveniently set 65 as the retirement age. Actually, the German system first set the retirement age at 70, and Bismarck was then 74.

The U.S. choice was mainly based on retirement ages used in private and state pensions, and the Railroad Retirement System. Actuarial studies later confirmed that age 65 would produce a “manageable” and “sustainable” system.

Yet, Ida May Fuller, the first-ever recipient of regular monthly retirement checks, died in 1975 at age 100.

Fast forward to the present, and some of the basics

To receive Social Security retirement benefits, individuals must have at least 40 quarters of coverage. In 2018, one quarter of coverage requires earnings of $1,320.

Primary insurance amounts (PIA) are computed on the 35 highest-earning years, but it’s a bit more complicated than it sounds. For more, select “Your Retirement Benefit: How It Is Figured” from SSA’s Retirement Publications.

Under current Social Security law, full retirement age is age 65 to 67, depending on the individual’s birthdate. People who start collecting benefits when they reach full retirement age will get their basic benefit (or, PIA). People born in 1952 will reach full retirement age (66) in 2018. If they retire early and start collecting benefits before full retirement age, their benefit is reduced by a fraction for each month before full retirement age. So, they’ll get a smaller benefit for a longer time.

What to know about going beyond full retirement age

According to a Pew Research Center study, more Americans are working well into their 60s, 70s, and even longer. They may decide not to retire in the classic sense of the word, or at least not to retire completely, or they may find it financially difficult to do so.

Here are some pointers for individuals and their advisors who plan to delay the start of their real retirement, or their Social Security retirement benefits, or both. Once people sign up, they can request up to six months of retroactive benefits.

Individuals can get credit for delaying retirement

If people delay the start of their retirement benefits until after their full retirement age, their benefit increases by a fraction for each month they wait, up to 8 percent for each full year they delay. For instance, if a beneficiary’s PIA is $2,000 and he waits 24 months to start his benefits, his monthly benefit amount will be $2,320 ($2,000 + [$2,000 × 8 percent × 2 years]), ignoring any cost-of-living increases. However, delayed retirement credits stop once individuals turn 70.

Other benefit increases

Annual cost-of-living increases may apply to all Social Security recipients, regardless of when they started their benefits.

Also, for people who continue to work after they start collecting benefits, a higher earnings year can replace a lower earnings year – and result in a higher benefit. But keep in mind that inflation adjustment factors in the benefit formula make determining highest-earning years more complicated than simply comparing earnings amounts. For instance, $35,000 earned in 1990 is equivalent to $80,850 in 2018!

The tax picture

Social Security and Medicare taxes are still required

Many people wonder if they still have to pay Social Security and Medicare tax on their wages and/or self-employment earnings after they start receiving benefits.

Answer: Yes! Employers are required by law to withhold these taxes from earnings (see “Social Security and Medicare Taxes” in IRS Pub. 15, Employer’s Tax Guide). Likewise, if people are self-employed, they must continue to pay self-employment tax on their net earnings.

There are some exceptions, but the requirement won’t end when individuals simply reach a certain age or collect Social Security benefits.

Social Security benefits may be taxable

When individuals start collecting Social Security benefits (whether they’re supplementing part-time work or they’ve reached age 70 and maxed out their delayed retirement credits), up to 85 percent of the benefits may be taxable. It all depends on how much other income they have, and what type of income it is.

If half of an individual’s benefits, plus all his or her other taxable income (wages, pensions, dividends, etc.), plus tax-exempt interest and other adjustments total more than $25,000 ($32,000 if married filing jointly), then some of the taxpayer’s Social Security income will be taxable. Individuals’ resident state may tax their benefits, as well.

IRS Notice 703 provides a quick reference and worksheet about how Social Security benefits are taxed. IRS Pub. 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits, has the full details.

Advisors should help clients anticipate and plan to cover their tax bill

If Social Security benefits are taxable, individuals will need to plan to cover the additional tax bill (and avoid an unpleasant surprise at tax time).

The earnings test

For people who start their benefits before full retirement age but end up working, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will withhold some of their benefits, or require them to pay some of the benefits back. The good news is, once individuals reach full retirement age, the earnings test no longer applies.

Be careful though. The limitation is lifted only starting with the month individuals reach full retirement age. For example, if an individual is still working and starts collecting benefits in January 2018, but doesn’t reach full retirement age until August 2018, the earnings test will apply for January through July, and the individual could lose some benefits. See How Work Affects Your Benefits.

Medicare is a factor, too

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for those with certain types of disabilities. Read more about Medicare basics, or see Medicare and You for full details.

Alphabet soup and premiums

Part A is free for people who are fully insured (that is, they have at least 40 quarters of Social Security coverage).

Part B has a basic monthly premium of $134 in 2018; it’s more for people with adjusted gross income (AGI) of more than $85,000 ($170,000 for joint filers) as of their most recent tax return—usually 2016 for 2018 premiums. Individuals should contact the SSA if their earnings have dropped since 2016.

Medicare supplemental plans (aka, Medigap plans) are private plans that cover some of the costs that Medicare doesn’t, such as co-pays. Medigap plans have their own “alphabet soup” of features, varying by plan.

Enrollment periods

For most people, Medicare starts at age 65. Enrollment isn’t automatic if individuals aren’t collecting Social Security benefits yet.

The Initial Enrollment Period is seven months, starting three months before the individual turns 65. If individuals have health insurance coverage under their employer or their spouse’s employer, they may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Caution here!

The employer offering the plan must have 100 or more employees, so people working for a small company may not qualify for the SEP.

During the eight months starting the month after the end of their employment or employer coverage (whichever is earlier)

People who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and don’t qualify for a SEP can sign up during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 of each year. In that case, coverage begins July 1 of the same year, and individuals may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty.

Note: People who enroll in Medicare before collecting Social Security benefits must pay Part B and Part D premiums directly. Once the individual receives benefits, he or she may have the premiums withheld from benefits.

Health Savings Accounts

People in a qualifying high-deductible health plan who contribute to a health savings account (HSA), can’t contribute to HSAs after they’re enrolled in Medicare.

Once individuals who are at least age 65 sign up for Social Security retirement benefits, they may be surprised to learn they’re automatically enrolled in Medicare A (the free part), retroactive to age 65 or six months (whichever is later).

People who made HSA contributions and don’t want to withdraw them or pay excise tax on overcontributions should consider delaying their Social Security sign-up until six months after they’ve stopped making HSA contributions. That’s because, as mentioned earlier, individuals can still get retroactive retirement benefits up to six months.

People receive those retroactive benefits in a lump sum, and the benefits won’t interfere with any previously made HSA contributions.

Note: Watch out for an extra federal and state tax bill, and plan for it with estimates, withholding, etc.

Even though people enrolled in Medicare can’t contribute to their HSA, they don’t have to close the account. Any savings in the account will come in handy to cover dental bills and many other uncovered medical expenses individuals will face in the future.

Much has changed since Ida May Fuller started getting Social Security checks

The program has expanded to include early- and late-retirement options and Medicare (which has also changed a lot since it began in 1966) – not to mention spousal options and benefits, disability benefits, and survivor’s benefits.

Whether to begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as possible, wait until full retirement age, or delay benefits well past that age are personal decisions that depend on many factors, including individuals’ work plans, health, finances, and much more.

1. Reiterate and or Decide who are Political and Economic Asylum seekers.

2. Unite the kids with their parents who are seeking Political and Economic Asylum.

3. Always keep kids with their parents who are seeking Asylum.

4.. Create safe spaces for the kids and adults seeking Asylum.

5. Create educational centers / schools for the Children that are seeking Asylum.

6. Utilize our college and highschool students to assist and or teach each of the kids seeking Asylum normal educational topics such as health, reading, math and science.

7. Teach the adults seeking Asylum English and the Bill of Rights along with our wonderful Constitution.

8. Send the Bill / Invoice to each of the countries to offset the cost of teaching the Asylum seekers or to use it to leverage / to engage a dialogue for the Country to accept back those seeking Asylum. Keeping them safe in their home countries.

9. Have private companies volunteer to pay for facilities to house and educate Asylym seekers.

10. The Rule of Law counts and our laws must be taught in our schools at least once a week to assure that our next population of adults know the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Arthur Liceaga, editor 06/22/18

NEW TAX LAWS WILL BE IN PLACE THIS TAX SEASON. Call Me today to discuss your Tax Return. Call 630 - 217 -5764.

"TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE Clinical Corner"

The United States of America is in a Crisis Situation with Drug Consuming Americans. Can We As A Nation Change this Terrible Crisis?

Drug Overdoses

Preventable drug-related poisoning deaths, or drug overdoses, are at an all-time high and increasing rapidly. In 2016, 54,793 people died from preventable drug overdoses – an increase of 391% since 1999. Preventable or accidental drug overdose deaths increased 327% over the same period. These deaths represent 86% of the total 63,632 drug overdose deaths in the United States, which also include suicide, homicide and undetermined intents.

The majority of preventable drug overdose deaths (69%) involve opioids, totaling 37,814 in 2016. Opioid Drugs include both prescription and illicit drug categories. The drug category most frequently involved in opioid overdoses and growing at the fastest pace is “synthetic opioids other than methadone.” This category includes fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and tramadol. The fentanyl category of opioids accounted for 17,696 preventable deaths in 2016, representing a 106% increase over the 8,609 total in 2015.

Heroin accounted for the second highest number of deaths, claiming 14,606 lives in 2016, a 19% increase over the 12,284 deaths in 2015.

The opioid category that includes morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone (natural and semisynthetic opioids) was involved in 12,101 deaths in 2016.The chart also allows you to explore overdose death trends among a few other non-opioid drugs, including benzodiazepines, cocaine and cannabis.

Drug Overdoses continued

The number of preventable deaths in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 161,374 in 2016, an increase of 14,803 over 2015, and poisoning deaths account for the majority of this increase (10,857). A total of 58,335 people died from poisoning in 2016.

Drug overdoses account for most poisoning deaths (54,793), and most of those involve opioid drugs (37,814).

Many Americans are familiar with the opioid epidemic headlines dominating the news. Preventable opioid overdose deaths increased 29% in 2016 and 544% since 1999. The 25 to 34 age group is experiencing the most opioid overdose deaths – 10,732 – a 35% increase from 2015 and a 774% increase since 1999. Currently 73% of preventable opioid deaths occur among those ages 25 to 54, and the number of deaths among individuals 55 and older is starting to grow. Few opioid deaths occur among children younger than 15.

Over two thirds of preventable opioid overdose death victims are male, 26,069 compared to 11,745 female deaths in 2016. However, since 1999, female opioid overdose deaths have increased at a faster pace than male deaths – 820% for females versus 468% for males. Visit the data details tab to explore more trends by drug type, age and sex.

"TA Places Around the World"

Daily Life in NORTH KOREA

No Freedom of Movement It is illegal for the North Korean people to leave their country without the regime’s permission, and the regime attempts to restrict the people’s movement even inside their own country. If you wish to travel to another part of the country, you are supposed to have a specific purpose and obtain permission from your work unit. If you do not live in Pyongyang, the showcase capital where most resources are concentrated, you will likely be denied access. The regime has also forcibly relocated hundreds of thousands of North Koreans to less favorable parts of the country as a form of punishment and political persecution. "In North Korea, you need a certificate to move to different places, which is especially difficult for Kaesong because there is a lot of exchange going on there with South Korea.”

Dismal Public Health The regime claims that it provides universal health care to its people. In reality, the majority of the public healthcare system collapsed in the 1990s, with only prioritized hospitals in areas such as Pyongyang kept functioning. Elsewhere, health services and medicine are only available to those that can afford it. Ordinary North Koreans are therefore afflicted by easily preventable or curable poverty-related diseases, such as tuberculosis and cataracts.

Public Executions The North Korean regime publicly executes citizens who have been accused of a variety of crimes, including petty theft. Whole communities, including children, are brought out to watch these executions, which are designed to instill fear amongst the people of doing anything that could be seen as against the regime’s wishes.

Political Prison Camps Five political prison camps hold an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 people. Some of them are the size of cities, and they have existed five times as long as the Nazi concentration camps and twice as long as the Soviet Gulags. Many people imprisoned in these camps were not guilty of any crime, but were related to someone who supposedly committed a political crime. Often they have no idea what that crime was, and even children who are born in the camps are raised as prisoners because their ‘blood is guilty’. Forced labor, brutal beatings, and death are commonplace. The regime denies the existence of these camps, but multiple survivor testimonies have been corroborated by former guards as well as satellite images.

Currently No Freedom of Speech Criticism of the regime or the leadership in North Korea, if reported, is enough to make you and your family ‘disappear’ from society and end up in a political prison camp. It goes without saying that there is no free media inside the country. The only opinion allowed to be voiced inside the country is the regime’s. No Freedom of Information Knowing the threat that outside information poses to their propaganda and ideology, and ultimately its control over the people, the regime has invested massive resources in trying to maintain an information blockade and keep its monopoly as the only source of information and ideas to the North Korean people. It is illegal to own a tunable radio in North Korea, there is no access to the Internet (except for a few hand-picked and monitored officials), and North Korean landlines and mobile phones cannot make international calls. WHERE IS SHE NOW? A CONVERSATION WITH HYE WON "I can study whatever I want, whereas college students in North Korea can study only what the North Korean regime allows them to study.” - Hye Won

Chronic Food Shortages The regime’s refusal to effectively reform its failed agricultural policies, combined with susceptibility to adverse climate conditions (made worse by environmental mismanagement), and an inability to purchase necessary agricultural inputs or food imports mean that the North Korean people have faced food shortages ever since the 1990s. Millions of malnourished children and babies, pregnant women and nursing mothers bear the brunt of the shortages today. This has left an entire generation of North Koreans with stunted growth and a higher susceptibility to health problems. Joseph talks from the TED stage “People living in North Korea, are worried about getting food.” - Joseph Kim

Recent defectors have told us of increased physical border security, increased risk associated with bribing border guards, and heightened punishments for people trying to escape. As a result, the number of refugees managing to arrive in South Korea has decreased by almost half. Refugee Rescues We rescue refugees without cost or condition, and ensure their safety and dignity on their journey to freedom. Refugee Exploitation North Korean refugees in China live in a precarious and sometimes desperate situation. They fear harsh punishment or even death if they are caught and sent back to North Korea, but many do not have the resources or contacts to get themselves out of China. Their illegal status forces them to work in invisible industries and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous employers and sex traffickers, as they have no recourse to any authorities.

No Religious Freedom Organized religion is seen as a potential threat to the regime and therefore nothing apart from token churches built as a facade of religious freedom for foreign visitors are allowed. Thousands of Buddhists and Christians have been purged and persecuted throughout the history of North Korea. People caught practicing or spreading religion in secret are punished extremely harshly, including by public execution or being sent to political prison camps.

Collective Punishment In North Korea, if your relative is persecuted for “anti-state” or “anti-socialist” crimes, then you and three generations of your family can be punished for it. The aim is to remove from society the whole family unit to prevent any dissent from emerging in the future, and also to deter martyrs who might sacrifice themselves for a political cause but would not want to sacrifice their whole family.

Refugee Crisis The North Korean regime makes it illegal to leave the country without state permission, but every year thousands of North Koreans still risk their lives to escape a combination of a lack of freedoms and economic hardship; in North Korea these are inextricably linked. If caught trying to escape, or if caught in China and sent back, they are at risk of harsh punishments including brutal beatings, forced labor, forced abortions, torture, and internment in a political prison camp. Those suspected of having had contact with South Koreans or Christians while in China receive the most severe punishments. North Korean refugees’ well-founded fear of persecution if repatriated means that they should be protected under international refugee law.

Songbun Political Apartheid System The North Korean regime has invested an incredible amount of time and resources creating the songbun system, a form of political apartheid that ascribes you with a level of perceived political loyalty based on your family background. Your particular songbun level (there are 51 of them) can then restrict your life opportunities, including where you can live, educational opportunities, Party membership, military service, occupation, and treatment by the criminal justice system. Any perceived political infractions by your family will lead to your songbun being demoted. "The North Korean society that has sprouted from the ruins of the division of Korea and the Korean War has not done away with class antagonisms. It has but established new classes, new conditions of oppression, new forms of struggle in place of the old ones."

Forced Leadership Adulation The regime forces the people to participate in the maintenance of personality cults around the Kim leaders that have ruled the country for over 60 years. Propaganda starts in nursery school and a large proportion of the curriculum for all students—even at university—is dedicated to memorizing the ‘history’ of the Kim family. State media provides a constant stream of myths about the Kims and lauds the sacrifices they supposedly make for the people. Millions of labor-hours that could be used developing the economy have to be spent idolizing the leaders instead.

Sex Trafficking Many North Korean women who escape North Korea become victims of sex trafficking. China’s lack of marriageable women, especially in the rural areas of its Northeast provinces, creates a demand for North Korean women who are at risk of being forced to work in brothels or online sex chatrooms, or are bought and sold as wives. North Korean women have been sold for as little as a few hundred to a few thousands dollars in China. JOY’S STORY: TRAFFICKED IN CHINA "She shook her head and told me my only option was to be sold into marriage to a Chinese man..."

Stateless Children Children born to North Korean refugee mothers and Chinese fathers can face difficulties obtaining hukou (household registration papers) because of their mother’s illegal status. This can leave the children stateless, recognized by neither the Chinese or North Korean governments, and denied basic rights such as access to education and other state services. There are estimated to be around 10,000 children born to North Korean refugee mothers in China.

North Koreans that leave and go to China for a better life are discouraged because the Chinese government prioritizes its political relationship with Pyongyang and does not recognize them as refugees. Instead they label them as “economic migrants” in an attempt to justify the forcible repatriation of thousands of North Korean refugees every year. Since coming to power, the Kim Jong-un leadership has cooperated with the Chinese authorities to tighten border security.

JULY 4th is Super Special with the Birth of a Great Nation and the Birth of the Greatest Grandfather. PAPA We Love You. Arthur and Jimmy

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY PAPA!

We Love You PAPA and Thank You for All that You have done for us. Our Own Yankee Doodle Dandy.We Love You Lita so Much.

Jimmy and Arthur

We Love PAPA and LITA! Happy 90th Birthday PAPA! PAPA your Palarmo Pizza Special is on the Way. We Love You PAPA! Jimmy and Arthur

We Endorse Independent Music. Please call us if you would like to post your music on our site.

For Great Food and Fun Stop In and Enjoy!

"TA Presidential News"

U.S. PRESIDENTS BORN In JULY.

President Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, which granted freedom to slaves in Confederate states, on New Year's Day in 1863. Word didn't reach the African-American slaves of Galveston, Texas, until June 19, 1865, when a force of two-thousand Union soldiers arrived and informed them of their freedom. Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved blacks throughout the former Confederacy of the southern United States. DID YOU KNOW That 20% of our Countries Population was African American and that 4 MILLION PEOPLE WERE IN BONDAGE / SLAVERY in 1776. That would be a Value of approximately $80 to $90 Billion Dollars today. Our Founding Fathers most certainly started the Conversation of Freedom and Equality.

John Quincy Adams was an American statesman who served as a diplomat, minister and ambassador to foreign nations, and treaty negotiator, United States Senator, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, ... Wikipedia Born: July 11, 1767, Braintree, MA Died: February 23, 1848, Washington, D.C. Presidential term: March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829 Spouse: Louisa Adams (m. 1797–1848) Political parties: Federalist Party (1792–1808), MORE Quotes If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air. Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

Calvin Coolidge 30th U.S. President John Calvin Coolidge Jr. was an American politician and the 30th President of the United States. A Republican lawyer from New England, born in Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts ... Wikipedia Born: July 4, 1872, Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Plymouth, VT Died: January 5, 1933, Northampton, MA Presidential term: August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929 Party: Republican Party Nicknames: Silent Cal, Cool Cal, The Sphinx of the Potomac, Cautious Cal Quotes The business of America is business. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. The chief business of the American people is business.

"TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE History"

In July we want to acknowledge the freedoms that came on June 19th, 1865 for our African American brothers and sisters by our 16th President.

June 19, is celebrated as "Juneteeth," in honor of one of the final acts of emancipation of slaves in the U.S.

On June 19, 1865, the announcement was made that tens of thousands of African-Americans in Texas had been emancipated , closing the door on one of the last chapters of slavery in the U.S.

Juneteenth traces its origins back to Galveston, Texas where on June 19, 1865 Union soldiers, led by Major Gen. Gordon Granger landed in the city with news that the Civil War had ended and slaves were now free. The announcement came two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of Jan. 1, 1863 that had ended slavery in the U.S. However, since that proclamation was made during the Civil War, it was ignored by Confederate states and it wasn't until the end of the war that the Executive Order was enforced in the South.

The day was celebrated occasionally until it was revived during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in 45 states.

Juneteenth has become a popular time for family reunions and gatherings. As with most social events, food takes center stage. Juneteenth is often commemorated by barbecues and the traditional drink - Strawberry Soda - and dessert - Strawberry Pie. Other red foods such as red rice (rice with tomatoes), watermelon and red velvet cake are also popular.

The red foods commemorate the blood that was spilled during the days of slavery.

Slavery was apart of our countries history and we should acknowledge this and understand that the Founding Fathers were only Men who often Missed The Mark yet Started the Conversation of Freedom.

Gerald Ford 38th U.S. President Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. was an American politician who served as the 38th President of the United States from August 1974 to January 1977. Wikipedia Born: July 14, 1913, Omaha, NE Died: December 26, 2006, Rancho Mirage, CA Presidential term: August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977 Vice president: Nelson Rockefeller (1974–1977) Party: Republican Party Quotes My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our constitution works. A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have. Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.

George W. Bush 43rd U.S. President George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He was also the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut. Wikipedia Born: July 6, 1946 (age 71 years), New Haven, CT Artworks: Junichiro Koizumi, Ehud Olmert, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, MORE Spouse: Laura Bush (m. 1977) Presidential term: January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009 Party: Republican Party Quotes Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail. Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?

"Tomorrow's Alliance Magazine"

featured Personality/Performer is "SHOWBIZ SHELLY".

I’m the midday host and entertainment reporter at 103.5 KISS FM! You can hear me every weekday morning on Fred and Angi at 7:45am. Then from 10am-noon every weekday you can hear me on my own show! Check out HER Blog! Growing up in Chicago around the North Shore area, I would drive to New Trier High School every day listening to the radio. I later graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a degree in broadcasting. It is at Northwestern where I really discovered my passion for entertainment news as I was head of the Arts and Entertainment division of Northwestern’s television station, the Northwestern News Network. My sophomore year in college I started as an intern in the promotions department at B96 Radio and worked my way up to morning show host. In spring of 2018, I started at KISS FM. During my last 13 years as an entertainment reporter, I have had the opportunity to meet many celebrities ranging from Jennifer Lopez to Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie to Michael Jordan. I often travel to Los Angeles to cover The Grammys, movie premieres, the American Music Awards and lots more. I’ve also contributed my entertainment scoops regularly to CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, WCIU and WTTW. When I’m not covering the entertainment beat, you can probably find me doing yoga, watching some of my favorite tv shows (pretty much any reality show, The Bachelor, Chicago Fire, This Is Us and lots more) or playing beach volleyball in the summer!

"TA ARCHIVE Pic" In 2016 "TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE" were SHOWBIZ SHELLY'S STAGE Band for a Pilot Show DIRECTED here in Chicago. It was a lot of fun and we learned how much work goes into a professional television show first hand. Arthur and I appreciate that our father made us Pursue a College Education First WHILE performing our "TA Original Music" around the Chicagoland area. We Love SHOWBIZ SHELLY who treated "TA" with tons of Respect and Appreciation. "TA" Loves and Supports SHOWBIZ SHELLY for being a Great Chicagoan and True Time Tested Media Professional. Please tune in to SHOWBIS SHELLY Radio Show and Support our friend SHOWBIZ SHELLY. Arthur Liceaga, editor

Our strategy

For the first time in its history, FIFA has published a roadmap for the future of football: FIFA 20.

The document was unveiled by President Infantino during the FIFA Gouncil meeting on 13 October 2016 and sets the path forward for our work in football’s best interests.

FIFA’s new vision is to promote the game of football, protect its integrity and bring the game to all.

FIFA 2.0 sets out a number of principles, but also concrete and measurable objectives. For example, by the opening whistle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™:

· More than 60% of the world’s population will participate – play, coach, referee, or experience broadly – in the game of football.

· FIFA will invest more than USD 4 billion in developing football

· FIFA will double the number of female players to 60 million.

· FIFA will have optimised internal operations and external business relationships to improve revenue generation and financial efficiencies.

HOW TO REALISE THE VISION

Grow the gameThrough the implementation of the FIFA Forward Development Programme, FIFA will introduce football to new participants and regions. Working with member associations and confederations, FIFA will develop the game by increasing targeted investment for individual stakeholders while raising the standards to which all are held. FIFA’s development efforts must also better engage all members of the football community regardless of gender, orientation, creed or ethnicity.

Enhance the experienceFor all: Modern technology has redefined sport and its relationship with fans. FIFA will work to ensure that those who cannot make it to the match will receive an equally impactful experience in their homes, and FIFA and its Commercial Affiliates must embrace innovation together.

For fans: FIFA must communicate with fans transparently and effectively, ensuring that more of them have access to more football through accessible channels.

For players, coaches and referees: Technological advances continue to aid the improvement of footballers’ performances on the field, coaches’ ability to strategise and referees’ ability to protect the integrity of the game. In 2016, FIFA worked with The International Football Association Board (IFAB) to approve a detailed set of protocols guiding live experiments with video assistant referees – and this is only the beginning. FIFA will continue to invest in technologies that benefit all those who grace the pitch.

For Commercial Affiliates: Working together, FIFA and its Partners have achieved great success. As technologies create new pathways for communication, FIFA’s Commercial Affiliates will look for new ways to showcase their brands with maximum scale and impact.

Build a stronger institutionAt the Home of FIFA: The election of a new leadership has been accompanied by the overwhelming approval of sweeping reforms, and the organisation has built on these considerable improvements in governance, transparency and accountability by restructuring its internal operations.

In the football ecosystem: FIFA’s new leadership has recommitted itself to human rights and diversity. The organisation will also heighten its oversight of member associations and ensure that all stakeholders are held to the appropriate standards of governance.

THE STRATEGY TO GET THERE

Investment: FIFA will dedicate significant resources and human capital to developing the game and enhancing the football experience.

Innovation: FIFA will leverage technological advances to improve the quality of the football experience for all.

Ownership: FIFA will assume greater responsibility for the governance, scale and effectiveness of its operation.

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Transparency: FIFA will be transparent in how it governs and grows the game, operates its business and interacts with key stakeholders.

Accountability: FIFA will be held accountable by football stakeholders around the globe – particularly member associations.

Inclusivity: FIFA will reflect the world and the communities in which it operates.

Cooperation: FIFA will actively engage with football’s diverse ecosystem to shape the future of football

more information Next Month in our "TA Magazine" August 2018 Issue

The Home of FIFA is the headquarters of the world’s governing body of football. This exceptional building by Swiss architect Tilla Theus is also symbolically the home of the international football community, of the 211 member associations and the 270 million players, coaches, referees and other participants around the world.

Administration, training, conference, logistics and sports centre in one, the building is impressive in how it blends harmoniously into its park-like surroundings. Out of respect for the environment, the forest clearings and the recreation areas were left intact.

The starting point of the project was shaped by FIFA’s vision and desire to simultaneously promote and implement sustainability, flexibility and energy efficiency in a groundbreaking way. The Home of FIFA is impressive in its generous size, its transparency and its hovering elegance. The walls, with their purposeful sweep and the slanted, tilted aluminium strips of netting covering the structure provide the movement that is analogous to football, while at the same time offering sophisticated sun protection.

The representative character of the Home of FIFA is underlined by the selection and deployment of materials that are at the same time simple and elegant. Their properties, and especially the manner in which they were artfully processed by hand, result in a high-quality effect and radiance.

The building is sectioned according to functional principles. The head contains the foyer, the auditorium, the management offices and the lower-level conference rooms; the body of the building houses the remaining offices, as well as the lower level parking garage, storage rooms and other facilities.

With its seating areas, the foyer opens up to the inner courtyard and the outer rooms to the side, as well as to the park and the playing fields. Its quality is the generosity structured by the element of space. The objective is to make individuals feel welcomed, and large groups not feel crushed.

The park: continental interplay. The main element of the outside landscape design is a park to the south and west of the building, which interchanges dense forest vegetation with open fields and clearings. It is accessed by a meandering footpath that leads through the various plant worlds, offering new views and impressions of the installation and the bordering surroundings.

The park is made up of a mix of indigenous and exotic vegetation, mirroring the activities of FIFA as the world governing body and organiser of global sports events. Plants from all six “football continents” are represented. A savannah-like landscape stands for Africa, a copse of blossoms for Asia. Powerful groups of trees with an undergrowth of shrubs rise up from fi elds of high grass, portraying Oceania’s bushland. Vegetation such as is found in mountain forests represent South America and the varied – robust and exotic – character of its landscape. Europe is portrayed by the small trees and bushes of varying height along the indigenous forest’s edge, which extends the existing bordering forest onto FIFA’s property and ties the campus to the surrounding landscape by overriding the visual boundary.

The theme of vegetation continues in the green courtyard that is closed to visitors. What catches the eye in this courtyard are eight sculptures, which tower like majestic old trees over the green carpet of moss and ferns and stand for the misty forests of North America.

The actual core of the structure is located on the third underground level. Water and light were consciously selected – as in the foyer – to stress the conference area’s importance as FIFA’s nerve centre. The large conference room, where the Executive Committee and the standing committees meet, is lit by a large crystal chandelier, whose shape was inspired by that of the football stadium. In the middle of the room, set into the lapis lazuli floor, is the foundation stone of the Home of FIFA. It consists of a concrete cube housing an oversized football, a time capsule that contains bags of earth from the countries of all FIFA associations, as well as other mementos.

Next to the conference room is the meditation room, with its glowing onyx shell that widens as it reaches towards the ceiling, which offers adherents of all religions a place for meditation and contemplation.

Light and lighting play a decisive role in the building, which is anchored by fi ve underground levels deep into the ground. In the stairwells, light supports the dynamic movement of the climbing stairs and plunge the hard core of Brazilian granite into a soft light. The lift cabins glide like lanterns through the cores of the support towers.

The corridors with their chrome supports lend structure and light to the long, drawn-out form of the building. The “through-and-throughs”, which are also part of the artistic lighting concept of the American, James Turrell, provide orientation. Each corridor, whether lengthwise or cross-wise, leads to the light with an unobstructed view of the surroundings. The corridors end in generous, often twostoried lounges.

In addition to the Brazilian granite, which is grey or black depending on its cut and processing, and the blue of the lapis lazuli plates (also from Brazil), strong and fresh colours set periodic accents – for example in the cafeteria, the central venue for employees during their breaks, or in the underground parking garage, with its storage space for logistics and vehicles. Visitors who come by car plunge at the entrance down to FIFA’s property directly into the second underground level via a long middle ramp, as do all lorries delivering or picking up materials.

The sports pitches (playing fields of artificial turf or sand, as well as a mini-field) and the sports centre with seminar room and wellness installation inspire one to engage in sport and do one’s own body some good. Energy concept: ecological and economical. The Home of FIFA also sets benchmarks for the environment. The highest priority was given to an ecological and economic energy concept tied to modern facilities, which was harmoniously integrated into the nearby recreation area.

Against this backdrop, FIFA decided on a zero-emissions building, whose requirements were completely fulfilled – for example by rejecting fossil fuels and CO2 emissions, and by implementing energy-efficient technologies and the optimal interplay of a heating and cooling system. If the building needs to be heated and cooled at the same time, the heat pump takes heat from the cooling network and transfers it to the heating network.

At the Home of FIFA, the architect, the engineers, foremen, bricklayers and other construction professionals were not just doing their job, they were creating art, like the builders of cathedrals and other great structures in former times.

Time for A Mortgage? Learn About Closing Costs Below.

Always consult with a Licensed Realtor and Licensed Attorney when seeking a property to purchase and securing a Mortgage.

GOODTIMESRADIO-TV will be bringing some of these stories on air. Also independent music will be played by terrific independent musicians that we represent and endorse.

"Tomorrow's Alliance Chasing The Dream of Home OwnershipSeries"

Mortgage Closing Costs?

by Deborah Kearms

Getting a mortgage isn’t free. Before you get those house keys, you’ll go to the closing table to sign loan documents and paperwork that transfers homeownership from the seller to you. Throughout your home purchase, third parties, as well as your lender, have performed services. Closing costs are fees these professionals charge for these services to finalize the real estate transaction and your home loan.

A lender is required by law to provide you with a loan estimate within three business days after receiving your mortgage application. This key document outlines the estimated closing costs and other loan details. While these figures might fluctuate by closing day, there shouldn’t be any big surprises. Three business days prior to your closing, a lender must provide you with a closing disclosure form. You’ll see a column showing the original estimated closing costs and final closing costs, along with another column indicating the difference, if costs rose. If you see new fees that were not on the original loan estimate, or notice that your closing costs are significantly higher, immediate seek clarification with your lender and/or real estate agent.

Why Are Closing Costs Necessary?

You’re already paying a down payment, not to mention an earnest money deposit to show good faith and a sizable mortgage payment for the foreseeable future. Why do you also have to pay closing costs?

A real estate transaction is a somewhat complex process with many players involved and numerous moving parts. Some states (and some loan products) require certain inspections beyond the basic inspection you pay directly to a home inspector of your choice. Then there are property and transfer taxes, as well as insurance coverage and various additional fees, addressed below.

Which Types of Fees Are Included in Closing Costs?

All of the closing costs will be itemized on your loan estimate and closing disclosure. Here are the standard fees you can expect to see:

Application fee

A fee charged by the lender to process your mortgage application. Ask the lender for details before applying for a mortgage.

Attorney fee

A fee charged by a real estate attorney to prepare and review home purchase agreements and contracts. Not all states require an attorney to handle a real estate transaction.

Closing fee

Also known as an "escrow fee," this is paid to the party who handles the closing: the title company, escrow company or an attorney, depending on state law.

Courier fee

If you’re signing paper documents, this fee helps expedite their transportation. If the closing is done digitally, you might not pay this fee.

Credit report fee

A charge ($15 to $30) from a lender to pull your credit reports from the three main reporting bureaus. Some lenders might not charge this fee because they get a discount from the reporting agencies.

Escrow deposit

Some lenders require you to deposit two months of property tax and mortgage insurance payments at closing.

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium

FHA loans require an up-front mortgage insurance premium (UPMIP) of 1.75% of the base loan amount to be paid at closing (or it can be rolled into your mortgage). There’s also an annual MIP payment paid monthly that can range from 0.45% to 0.85%, depending on your loan’s term and base amount.

Flood determination and monitoring fee

A fee charged to a certified flood inspector to determine whether the property is in a flood zone, which requires flood insurance (separate from your homeowner's insurance policy). Part of the fee includes ongoing observation to monitor changes in the property’s flood status.

Homeowners’ association transfer fee

If you buy a condominium, townhouse, or property in a planned development, you must join that community’s homeowners’ association. This is the transfer fee that covers costs of switching ownership, such as documents. Whether the seller or buyer pays the fee may or may not be in the contract; you should check in advance. The seller should provide documentation showing HOA dues amounts and a copy of the HOA’s financial statements, notices and minutes. Ask to see these documents, as well as the bylaws, covenants, conditions and restrictions (or CC&Rs) and rules of the HOA before you buy the property to ensure it’s in good financial standing and it’s a place you want to live.

Homeowner’s insurance

A lender usually requires prepayment of the first year’s insurance premium at closing.

Lender’s title insurance

An up-front, one-time fee paid to the title company that protects a lender if an ownership dispute or lien arises that it didn’t find in the title search.

Lead-based paint inspection

A fee paid to a certified inspector to determine if the property has hazardous, lead-based paint.

Points

Points (or "discount points") refer to an optional, up-front payment to the lender to reduce the interest rate on your loan and thereby lower your monthly payment. One point equals 1% of the loan amount. In a low-rate environment, this might not save you much money.

Owner’s title insurance

This policy protects you in the event someone challenges your ownership of the home. It is usually optional, but highly recommended by legal experts.

Origination fee

This charge covers the lender’s administrative costs to process your fee and is typically 1% of the loan amount. Some lenders do not charge origination fees, but usually charge a higher interest rate to cover costs.

Pest inspection

A fee that covers the cost of a professional pest inspection for termites, dry rot or other pest-related damage. Some states and some government-insured loans require the inspection.

Prepaid daily interest charges

A payment to cover any interest on your mortgage that will accrue from the date of closing until the date of your first mortgage payment.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

If your down payment is less than 20%, your lender might require PMI. You might be required to make the first month’s PMI payment at closing.

Property appraisal fee

A required fee paid to a professional property appraisal company to assess the home's fair market value, used to determine your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.

Property tax

At closing, expect to pay any property taxes that are due within 60 days of the home purchase.

Rate lock fee

A fee charged by the lender for guaranteeing you a certain interest rate for a limited period of time, typically from the time you receive a preapproval until closing.

Recording fee

A fee charged by your local recording office, usually city or county, for the recording of public land records.

Survey fee

A fee charged by a surveying company to check property lines and shared fences to confirm a property's boundaries.

Tax monitoring and tax status research fees

A third-party fee to keep tabs on your property tax payments and to notify your lender of any issues with your property tax payments, such as late or failed payments.

Title search fee

A fee charged by the title company to analyze public property records for any ownership discrepancies. The title company searches deed records and ensures that no outstanding ownership disputes or liens exist on the property.

Transfer tax

A tax levied to transfer the title from the seller to the buyer.

Underwriting fee

A fee charged by the lender for underwriting your loan. Underwriting is the research process of verifying your financial information, income, employment and credit for final loan approval.

VA funding fee

If you’re a VA borrower, this fee, charged as a percentage of the loan amount, helps offset the loan program’s costs to U.S. taxpayers. The amount of the funding fee depends on your military service classification and loan amount; the fee can be paid at closing or rolled into your mortgage. Some military members are exempt from paying the fee.

Another big fee: real estate commissions. Buyers don’t pay this fee, though; sellers do. Typically, the commission fee is 5% to 6% of the home’s purchase price, and it’s split evenly between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent.

Strategies to Help Reduce Closing Costs

It might feel like you can’t afford all of these fees on top of a down payment, moving expenses and repairs to your new home. However, there are ways to negotiate these fees.

Shop around. This applies to lenders and third-party services, such as homeowner’s insurance policies and title companies. Many homebuyers don’t realize they can save significant money on closing costs if they compare fees from lender to lender. Also, you don’t have to use the title company, pest inspector or homeowner’s insurance agent your lender suggests. Do some homework, and you could save some serious cash on those fees.

Schedule closing at the end of the month. A closing date near or at the end of the month helps cut down on prepaid daily interest charges. A lender can run this scenario for you to figure out how much you might save.

Appeal to the seller for help. You might be able to get a seller to either lower the purchase price, or to cover a portion (or all – if you’re really lucky) of your closing costs. This is more likely if the seller is motivated and the home has been on the market for a long time with few offers. In many hot housing markets, though, conditions favor sellers so you might get pushback or a flat-out “no” if you ask for a seller’s help. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Compare the loan estimate and closing disclosure forms. When you get your initial loan estimate, review it with a fine-tooth comb. If you’re unsure about what a fee entails or why it’s being charged, ask the lender to clarify. A lender who can’t explain a fee or pushes back when queried should be a red flag. Likewise, if you notice new fees or see noticeable increases in certain closing fees, ask your lender to walk you through the details. It’s not uncommon for closing costs to fluctuate from preapproval to closing, but big jumps or surprising additions could impact your ability to close.

Negotiate loan-specific fees. If you suspect a lender is tacking unnecessary fees, known as “junk fees,” on your loan, speak up. Ask the lender to remove or reduce fees if you notice duplication. Comparison shopping can be your ally in reducing closing costs, as well as finding competitive terms and rates. Be especially wary of excessive processing and documentation fees in the following areas:

application fee

underwriting fee

rate lock fee

loan processing fee

broker rebate

Roll closing costs into your mortgage (as a last resort). In some instances, lenders will offer to pay your closing costs or roll them into your loan. But you’re not off the hook; lenders tend to charge higher interest rates to pay themselves for absorbing your closing fees, which means you ultimately end up paying interest on your loan – and on closing costs.

The Bottom Line

Closing costs are unavoidable when you buy a home. If you take proactive steps to shop around and closely analyze your loan estimate with your closing disclosure, you could save big bucks on those fees. As you start saving up for a down payment, set aside enough money for closing costs, too. Remember that some areas of the country have higher closing costs than others. Above all, be your own best advocate. As you shop around, ask lenders to outline the fees they charge and try negotiating them down whenever possible.

"TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE Religion Facts"

Islam 101

Islam 101

A Muslim believes in the following 6 articles of Faith:

1. Oneness of God

A Muslim believes in ONE GOD, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider. God has no father or mother, no son or daughter. None is equal to Him. He is God of all humankind, not of a special tribe or race.

God is High and Supreme but He is very near to the pious thoughtful believers; He answers their prayers and helps them. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them peace, happiness, knowledge and success. God is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous, and the Benevolent, the Rich and the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Patient and the Appreciative, the Unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace. Many of these attributes of God are mentioned in the Quran.

God creates in humans the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane. If we try to count His favors upon us, we cannot, because they are countless. In return for all the great favors and mercy, God does not need anything from us, because He is Needless and Independent. God asks us to know Him, to love Him and to enforce His law for our benefit and our own good.

2. Messengers and Prophets of God

A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Quran mentions the names of 25 messengers and prophets and states that there are others. These include Adam, the first Prophet, along with Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, the last of the Prophets (peace be upon them all). The key message brought by all Prophets was the same: to believe in One God and not to associate partners with Him, to stay away from sins and to lead a life devoted to earning God’s pleasure.

3. Revelations and the Quran

A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete and in their original versions. Muslims believe in the original scriptures that were given to previous messengers; for example David received the Psalms (Zabur), Moses the Torah (Taurat) and Jesus the Gospel (Injeel). However, the previous scriptures do not exist today in the original form in which they were revealed.

The Quran is the last testament in the series of divine revelations from God, and Muslims recite and turn to it for guidance in all aspects of their life. It comprises the unaltered and direct words of God, revealed through the Angel Gabriel, to the final Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), some 1400 years ago. The Quran is unique because it is the only revealed book that exists today in the precise form and content in which it was originally revealed.

The Quran is unrivaled in its recording and preservation. The astonishing fact about this scripture is that it has remained completely unchanged over the past fourteen centuries, a fact that is attested to by both non-Muslim and Muslim scholars alike. There are no versions of the Quran and every copy in the world remains identical, word for word in its original language Arabic. Muslims to this day continue to emphasize the importance of memorizing the Quran word by word, as a whole or in part, recognizing that it is the Speech of God and not a book written by Muhammad (pbuh), as sometimes erroneously thought.

4. Angels

Angels are a creation of God. They are purely spiritual and splendid beings that require no food or drink or sleep. They have no physical desires or material needs. Like other creations of God, Angels spend their time worshiping God. In contrast to human beings, Angels do not have free Will – they can only obey God and do not have the ability to disobey Him. Each Angel is charged with a certain duty. Angels cannot be seen by the naked eyes.

5. Day of Judgment

A Muslim believes in the Day of the Judgment. This world as we know it will come to an end, and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. On that day, all men and women from Adam to the last person will be resurrected from the state of death. Everything we do, say, make, intend and think are accounted for and kept in accurate records. They are brought up on the Day of Judgment.

One who believes in life after death is not expected to disobey God. They will be ever-conscious that God is watching all their actions and the angels are recording them.

People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to Paradise. People with bad records will be fairly punished and cast into Hell. The real nature of Heaven and Hell are known to God only, but they are described by God in familiar terms in the Quran.

If some good deeds are seen not to get full appreciation and credit in this life, they will receive full compensation and be widely acknowledged on the Day of Judgment. If some people who commit sins, neglect God and indulge in immoral activities seem superficially successful and prosperous in this life, absolute justice will be done to them on the Day of Judgment. The time of the Day of Judgment is known by God alone.

What do Muslims believe in afterlife? Death in Islam is the termination of worldly life and the beginning of afterlife. Death is seen as the separation of soul from body, and its transfer from this world to theafterlife. Thus, it is the continuation of life in another form.

6. Predestination

A Muslim believes in the ultimate Knowledge and Power of God to plan and execute His plans. God is Wise, Just, and Loving, and whatever He does must have a good motive, although we may fail sometimes to understand it fully. The believer should have strong faith in God, recognizing that their own knowledge is limited and their thinking is based on individual consideration. In contrast, the Knowledge of God is limitless and He plans on a universal basis. Humans should think, plan and make sound choices and then put their trust in God. If things happen as they want they should praise God. If things do not happen as they want they should still praise God, recognizing that He knows best what is good for the affairs of mankind.

Next Month we bring Christianity 101 Arthur Liceaga, editor

A Sunni

is a member of the largest branch of Islam. A Sunni is a Muslim who believes that the caliph Abu Bakr was the rightful successor to Muhammad after his death.

There are several different traditions within the Sunni branch of Islam, but Sunnis are often described as orthodox Muslims. Since the death of Muhammad in the year 632, there has been conflict between the Sunnis and the other main Muslim group, the Shiites, although both branches share a belief in the teachings of the Qur'an. In Arabic, the word Sunni means "lawful," and its root can be found in Sunna, "the traditional teachings of Muhammad," or "way, course, or teachings."

Definitions of Sunni

a member of the branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors to Muhammad

Sunnis are a majority in most Muslim communities: in Southeast Asia, China, South Asia, Africa, and most of the Arab world. Shia make up the majority of the citizen population in Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iran and Azerbaijan, as well as being a politically significant minority in Pakistan, Syria and Yemen.

Ali (Arabic: علي‎, ʿAlī) is a male Arabic name derived from the Arabic root ʕ-l-w, which literally means "high" , "elevated" or "champion". It is a common name in Arab countries and the rest of the Muslim world.

Allahu Akbar (Arabic: الله أكبر) is an Islamic phrase, called Takbir in Arabic, meaning"Allah (GOD) is [the] greatest". Allahu Akbar or Allahu Ekber and similar variants may also refer to: Allahu Akbar (anthem), the national anthem of Libya from 1969 to 2011.

Muhammad (Arabic: محمد‎) is the primary transliteration of the Arabic given name مُحَمَّد‬ that comes from the passive participle of the Arabic verb ḥammada (حَمَّدَ), praise, which comes from the triconsonantal root Ḥ-M-D. The word can therefore be translated as "praised, commendable, laudable".

Christianity. The Aramaic word for "God" in the language of Assyrian Christians is ʼĔlāhā, or Alaha. Arabic-speakers of all Abrahamic faiths, including Christians and Jews, use the word "Allah" to mean "God". The Christian Arabs of today have no other word for "God" than "Allah".

A Shiite

is a person who belongs to one of the two main branches of Islam. A Shiite is a Muslim who follows specific religious traditions.

Shiites are the second-largest branch of Islam, after Sunnis. A Shiite believes that Mohammed's son-in-law, Ali, was his legitimate successor as political and religious leader and prophet. Though Shiites hold this basic belief in common, there are further divisions within Shia Islam, another name for the group of Shiites. You can also call a Shiite a Shia, which is its root as well — from the Arabic shi'ah, "partisans or followers."

Definitions of Shiite

a member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to Mohammed and rejects the first three caliphs.

The Shia majority countries are Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Bahrain. They also form the plurality (the largest group, but not the majority) in Lebanon. Shias constitute 36.3% of entire local population and 38.6% of the local Muslim population of the Middle East.

"TA SPORTS"

eSports market - Statistics & Facts

eSports refers to organized video gaming events or tournaments that culminate in championships at regional and international level, in which professional and amateur players compete against one another. The rapidly growing phenomenon surrounding eSports (electronic sports) continues to gather steam, as the intersection of gaming and sports offers an innovative wave of branding opportunities, engaging content and activations for millions across the world.

The eSports market is experiencing a rapid growth, despite being in its formative stage. In 2016, worldwide revenues generated in the eSports market amounted to 492.7 million U.S. dollars. By 2020, the market is expected to generate over 1.48 billion U.S. dollars in revenues, which indicates a compound annual growth rate of 32 percent. These revenues came from betting, prize pools and tournaments, but overwhelmingly from sponsorship and advertising, which brought in almost 661 million U.S. dollars in 2016. In terms of revenue, Asia was the biggest eSports market overall, followed by North America and Europe.

The easy accessibility of eSports is bound to attract more and more audiences in the coming years. In 2016, the number of eSports enthusiasts and occasional viewers totaled 323 million. The number of viewers who regularly follow the industry and tune in to watch international competitions is projected to nearly double by 2020. In terms of title popularity, the League of Legends takes the lead, especially when looking at the number of registered players. As of mid-2015, the game had a player base of 67 million. That same year, 36 million individuals streamed the League of Legends World Championships online, which represented a 33% increase from 2014.

From the DOTA 2 competitions offering millions of dollars to winning players, to Call of Duty extending its reach into the million-dollar prize pools, eSports is gradually becoming a worldwide profession for individuals. As of February 2017, The International 2016 was the leading tournament of all time, in terms of overall prize pool. And so, many gamers see the appeal of such rewards and partake in numerous tournaments and championship, either as individual contestants or in teams. Among the leading players known to the industry is the U.S. player Peter Dager, who earned 2.62 million U.S. dollars throughout his recorded eSports gaming career. However, female eSports players still earn considerably less, with Sasha Hostyn, known as Scarlett, having recorded overall profits of 171 thousand U.S. dollars as of March 2017. All in all, with the constantly growing eSports market, the earnings are bound to grow and attract masses of new, skilled players.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Hide

eSports market revenue worldwide in 2018

906mn USD

eSports audience size worldwide in 2018

380mn

a multiplayer video game played competitively for spectators, typically by professional gamers.

"millions of people enjoy watching e-sports"

first gaming competition was in 1972 at Standford University. The Main Prize was a 1 year subscription to "Rolling Stone Magazine". Arthur Liceaga, editor

"TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE Archive Pic" Jimmy with two "TA" Fans back in 2010 at Southside Chicago establishment after a Outside Gig called "A PLACE FOR US" near Midway Airport.

"TA Archive Pic" Arthur with the Band "MOOKIE BETTS" at "The STORE" in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Il. back in 2016 after a terrific performance in front of a Great Audience.

Background. MALDEF was founded in San Antonio in 1968. With the help of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), MALDEF got a $2.2 million grant from the Ford Foundation. ... In its first three years, MALDEF handled mostly legal-aid cases. MALDEF strives to implement programs that are structured to bring Latinos into the mainstream of American political and socio-economic life; providing better educational opportunities; encouraging participation in all aspects of society; and offering a positive vision for the future.

GET INVOLVED

MALDEF hosts the annual Latino State of the Union policy roundtable and five annual regional Awards Galas. The Awards Galas highlight MALDEF’s commitment and dedicated service to the community and recognize individuals, corporations, and law firms who have been instrumental in advancing justice for Latinos.

There are many ways to get involved and partner with MALDEF in our mission to advance the Latino community. See what opportunities interest you today.

With a monetary donation, you can help create a more open society and develop the leaders of tomorrow. Because MALDEF’s work reaches some of the most marginalized communities in the nation, even a small amount can make a great difference. Unrestricted contributions to MALDEF’s Annual Fund support its litigation efforts, community outreach, educational programming, and public policy work.

Mission Statement

Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the “law firm of the Latino community”, MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access.

About MALDEF

MALDEF strives to implement programs that are structured to bring Latinos into the mainstream of American political and socio-economic life; providing better educational opportunities; encouraging participation in all aspects of society; and offering a positive vision for the future. Unique to MALDEF is an approach that combines advocacy, educational outreach, and litigation strategies to achieve socio-economic change.

MALDEF has achieved significant legal victories with the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Plyler v. Doe. The Court struck down a Texas law that allowed districts to charge tuition to children of undocumented immigrant parents. MALDEF’s victory opened school doors to all students equally. In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court heard seven challenges to a Texas Congressional redistricting plan. Only MALDEF’s prevailed. The New York Times described it as “the most important voting rights case of the decade, rejecting the statewide gerrymandering claim brought by…other plaintiffs while accepting the Voting Rights Act challenge in Southwestern Texas, brought by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.” The case resulted in new lines drawn for the 23rd Congressional District and a special election (where a MALDEF suit opened the polls early) resulting in the Latino community having the opportunity to elect its candidate of choice to Congress.

MALDEF was founded in 1968 during one of America’s darkest hours with the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, two of our nation’s greatest civil rights advocates. A ray of hope for the community, MALDEF sought to fulfill the critical needs for the nation’s growing Latino community through litigation, advocacy and leadership development on issues that affected children and newcomers. MALDEF’s victory in the historic voting rights case White v. Regester, significantly raised the value of the Latino vote by safe-guarding communities from at-large redistricting systems. In another landmark case, MALDEF attorneys successfully secured free public education for all school children, regardless of their parent’s immigration status.

Earlier this year, MALDEF hosted a special conference in commemoration of its 50th anniversary at the organization’s birthplace, San Antonio, Texas. The day-long conference featured MALDEF attorneys and Board members from past and present to focus on the organization’s historic legal contributions and current and future agenda in voting rights, immigration, education and employment. Past MALDEF presidents and general counsels gave welcoming remarks, followed by panel discussions, and a video presentation highlighting MALDEF’s remarkable history

MALDEF is headed by President and General Counsel Thomas Saenz and is governed by a 30-member national Board of Directors.

MALDEF Property Management Corporation (MPMC), a 501(c) (3) organization, manages the building which serves as the National Headquarters and Los Angeles Regional Offices for MALDEF. The MPMC building also serves as a unique professional environment primarily for other non-profit organizations that provide assistance to minority and other underserved communities.

Founded in 1968, MALDEF celebrated 50 years of advancing Latino civil rights at the organization’s birthplace, San Antonio, Texas. View an overview of MALDEF's historic cases and a commemorative video.

"TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE Advisory Council" next Meeting is JULY 20th, 2018.

"TOMORROW'S ALLIANCE CARES Program"

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WE HOPE ALL HAD A WONDERFUL SPRING 2018.

HAPPY SUMMER 2018!

Congratulations Arthur on completing your first MBA class.

Way to Go Arthur ! Dad

Please Feel Free to Print this Issue. Arthur Liceaga, editor

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